ABGC Announcements

Spreading Joy on Two Wheels

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 18:04:28 GMT

ABGC Partners With Wish for Wheels to Give 25 Children a Christmas to Remember

In December, just ahead of the holiday season, the Annandale Boys and Girls Club was proud to be part of a special moment for local children who might not otherwise have received a bike or even a Christmas present.

Through a partnership with Wish for Wheels and GTT, ABGC helped deliver 25 brand new bikes and helmets to children in our community between the ages of 7 and 9.

A Day Built Around Giving

The event brought together volunteers, staff, and partners who worked side by side to assemble bikes, properly fit helmets, and make sure each child’s bike was ready to ride. For many of the children, it was their first brand new bike.

The smiles, excitement, and sense of pride were unforgettable.

More Than a Bike

This event was about more than bikes. It was about inclusion, dignity, and showing children that their community cares about them. For families facing financial challenges, a moment like this can make a lasting difference.

At ABGC, we believe youth sports and community outreach go hand in hand. Supporting kids means supporting the whole child, both on and off the field.

Thank You to Our Partners

We are deeply grateful to Wish for Wheels, GTT, and the volunteers who made this event possible. Their generosity and time helped create a meaningful experience for 25 children and their families.

Looking Ahead

Moments like this remind us why community partnerships matter. We are proud to continue working with organizations that share our commitment to creating positive experiences for local youth.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this day a success.

Our New ABGC Website Is Live

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 17:43:04 GMT

A More Modern Experience for Families Beginning in 2026

We are excited to share that the Annandale Boys and Girls Club has launched a new website as part of our move to a more modern, streamlined platform beginning in 2026.

This update represents a significant investment by the club to improve the experience for families, coaches, and volunteers. As part of this effort, ABGC has partnered with PlayMetrics , a leading youth sports management system used by clubs across the country.

A Simpler Registration Experience

One of the biggest improvements families will notice is a more streamlined registration process. The new platform makes it easier to register players, complete required forms, and manage family information in one place.

App Based Communication and Team Updates

The new system also introduces app based communication between families, coaches, and team members. Important updates are no longer buried in long email chains.

Parents can expect:

Direct messages from coaches and team staff
Team schedules available in one place
Easy access to practice and game details

Real Time Notifications for Schedule Changes

Weather delays, field changes, and game updates happen. With the new platform, families receive real time notifications when schedules change, helping reduce confusion and last minute surprises.

This means fewer missed messages and better communication when it matters most.

Designed With Families in Mind

This new website and platform were chosen with parent experience as a top priority. From mobile friendly access to clearer information and faster communication, the goal is to make participating in ABGC sports easier for busy families.

We are confident this update will improve how our community connects, communicates, and enjoys youth sports.

Looking Ahead

We appreciate your patience as we continue to roll out improvements and refine the experience. As always, our focus remains on providing well run, accessible, and positive youth sports programs for every child.

We are excited for what this new platform brings and look forward to the seasons ahead.

Understanding the Shift from Birth Year to Age Groups in Youth Soccer

Sat, 24 Jan 2026 17:33:05 GMT

How To Be Prepared For What Changes in Fall of 2026

If you have registered a child for youth soccer recently, you may have heard about an upcoming change in how age groups are defined. Beginning with the Fall 2026 season , many programs, including ABGC, will move away from birth year based groupings and transition to age groups instead.

This change does not apply to the Spring 2026 season . Spring 2026 registrations will continue to follow the current birth year format.

What Is Changing?

Under the birth year system, players are grouped strictly by the calendar year they were born in. For example, all players born in 2014 are grouped together, regardless of when their birthday falls during the year.

With age groups, placement is based on how old a child is during the season. This approach is often easier for families to understand and aligns more naturally with how parents think about their child’s age.

Why the Shift?

Youth soccer organizations across the country have revisited age group formation to improve clarity for families and better support player development. Age groups allow for greater flexibility while still maintaining appropriate competition and structure.

Example Illustrating the Change

Here is a simple example to help illustrate the change. Under the birth year system, two children both born in 2014 would be placed in the same group, even if one child had just turned 12 and the other was still 11 at the start of the season.

Beginning in Fall 2026 , those same players may be grouped based on their age during the season instead. This helps ensure players are competing with peers who are closer in age and developmental stage, while still keeping teams balanced and appropriate.

Again, this example applies to the Fall 2026 season and beyond . The Spring 2026 season will continue using birth year based groupings .

What Does This Mean for Your Player?

For most families, the impact will be minimal. Players will continue to be placed with peers of similar age and experience, and team placement will remain focused on development and enjoyment.

If a placement looks slightly different in Fall 2026 than in past seasons, it is simply the result of the new age group structure.

Our Goal at ABGC

Our goal is to keep youth sports clear, accessible, and positive for families. Moving to age groups helps simplify registration while continuing to support a strong experience for every player.

If you have questions about how this change may affect your child, we are always happy to help.

Christmas Trees Available Now

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 21:32:00 GMT

The Annandale Boys' & Girls' Club is excited to continue one of our favorite holiday traditions – Christmas Tree Sales at the ABGC main office.

Sales for 2025 have already begun! Come and pick out your favorite Christmas tree at our main office while supporting youth sports.

All proceeds go toward providing the best youth sports programs at the lowest possible cost, while never refusing a youth's participation due to lack of funds. Visit our Christmas tree webpage for more details.